Ella’s POV
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The white plaster seemed to close in on me, a stark reminder of how confined I felt. My mind was heavy, filled with the endless worry and dread that had become my constant companions. I wished I could just escape from it all, but there was no hiding from the pain that clung to my heart.
The house was eerily quiet. Even the familiar hum of everyday life felt distant, muffled. I wanted to get up, but my body felt too heavy, weighed down by invisible chains. Every movement felt like a battle, and I was losing.
The door creaked open, and Lily poked her head in. Seeing me, she gave a sympathetic smile. “Hey, Ella. How are you feeling?”
I shrugged, unable to find the right words. “I don’t know. Just... stuck.”
Lily stepped into the room, followed by Sophie. Both of them looked determined. “We were thinking,” Lily said, “that maybe it’s time for a change of pace. How about we do something to take your mind off things?”
Sophie nodded enthusiastically. “We were planning to bake some cookies. It’s been a while, and you used to love it. What do you say?”
I looked at them, the idea of baking somehow comforting. “You really think that’ll help?”
Lily grinned. “Absolutely. And if not, at least we’ll have cookies.”
Sophie added, “We’ll make it fun. A little distraction might be exactly what you need right now.”
The offer was tempting. The thought of getting out of my room and doing something familiar made me feel a bit better. “Okay,” I agreed. “Let’s do it.”
The three of us headed to the kitchen. Lily and Sophie seemed to light up with excitement, their energy a stark contrast to my own heavy mood. As they began gathering ingredients and prepping the kitchen, I watched them with a small smile, feeling a bit of warmth from their presence.
“Alright, Ella,” Lily said, handing me a mixing bowl. “You’re in charge of the dough.”
Sophie pulled out the recipe book, flipping through pages. “I’ll handle the oven and make sure everything’s at the right temperature.”
I took the bowl from Lily and began mixing, trying to focus on the task at hand. The smell of flour and sugar filled the kitchen, and as the ingredients came together, I found myself slowly being pulled out of my own head.
Sophie put on some music, and soon the kitchen was filled with the sounds of baking and laughter. “Remember when we tried to make cookies and ended up with a doughy disaster?” Sophie asked, laughing.
Lily snorted. “Oh, I remember. We had to throw the whole batch out. But we had fun.”
I laughed, the sound feeling foreign but good. “Yeah, I remember that. We were so disappointed because Sophie let them get burned.”
“Hey!” Sophie exclaimed with my sudden confession. It made me laugh, it's true. That day, she is so busy practicing singing while wearing her big headphones that she forgot the time was.
As we worked together, the tension in my chest eased. It was strange how something as simple as baking could provide such a relief. I wasn’t completely free from the weight of my worries, but the momentary distraction was soothing.
Later, as the cookies baked, we sat around the kitchen table, talking and sharing stories. Khian came in, his eyes brightening at the sight of us. “Smells like you’re up to something fun in here.”
“We’re baking cookies!” Lily announced. “You want to join us?”
Khian grinned and grabbed a chair. “Count me in. I could use a break from all the stress too.”
As the cookies finished baking, we enjoyed the warm treats together. The sweetness of the cookies mixed with the warmth of friendship, making the day feel a bit brighter. Even though I was still dealing with the pain, the support from Lily, Sophie, and Khian made it more bearable.
When the cookies were finally gone and the kitchen cleaned up, we all sat together, sharing quiet moments and comfortable silence. The day hadn’t solved all my problems, but it had given me something to hold onto, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there were small, comforting moments to be found.
Later that evening, as I lay back in bed, I heard my parents’ voices coming from the living room. They had returned from their trip earlier than expected. Their presence was a grounding comfort, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this struggle.
Mom and Dad came into my room, their faces filled with concern. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Mom asked softly.
“Better,” I said. “A little. Thanks to this minions”
Dad chuckle and nodded, his expression soften. “We’ve been thinking. We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help you. We’re planning to bring in a specialist to get a new perspective.”
I felt a glimmer of hope. “I appreciate that. Really.”
Mom sat down beside me, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “We’re here for you, Ella. Just... please protect your heart.”
That hits me, I mean that's the problem, I can't control my emotions and it's hard. 
After my parents left, I lay in bed, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. The day had been a rollercoaster, and despite the small moments of joy, the heaviness was still there. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the comforting presence of my friends and family.
After our quiet moments, Khian reached into a corner where he had placed a small guitar. He picked it up and sat back down next to me. “I’ve been learning a bit,” he said, giving me a sheepish grin. “Thought it might be nice to play something for you.”
I watched with curiosity as he adjusted the guitar, his fingers finding their way to the strings. The first few notes were tentative, but soon, he started playing a soft, gentle melody. The sound was calming, and the music seemed to blend seamlessly with the peaceful of the room.
As Khian’s gentle guitar playing filled the room, Sophie and Lily eventually joined us. They walked over with their usual lively energy, their presence adding warmth to the already comforting atmosphere.
Lily took a seat next to me, while Sophie plopped down on the carpet floor, clearly in a playful mood. She looked at Khian, who was deeply engrossed in his music, and a mischievous grin spread across her face.
“You know, Khian,” Sophie began, her voice carrying a teasing tone, “you could totally become the next big thing with that guitar. Just imagine ‘Khian Evince, the rock star!’”
Khian’s fingers faltered slightly, and he glanced at Sophie, caught off guard. “Oh, come on, Sophie,” he said, trying to keep a straight face. “I’m just playing for fun.”
Sophie continued, not missing a beat. “Fun? Sure, but look at you! You’re practically melting hearts with that serenade.”
I chuckled, unable to hold back my amusement. Khian’s cheeks reddened a bit as he tried to focus on playing, clearly embarrassed by Sophie’s playful teasing.
Lily, sitting beside me, gave a soft laugh and nudged me gently. “Sophie always has a way of making everything a bit more entertaining.” I nodded, agreeing to her.
Khian shook his head, trying to hide his smile. “And I thought playing the guitar was supposed to be relaxing.”
“Oh, it is!” Sophie chimed in. “But if you keep playing like that, you’re going to need to get used to all the attention you’re going to get.”
Sophie’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lily. “I mean, Lily, aren’t you impressed? You’re practically drooling over here!”
Lily blinked, clearly taken aback. “What? I’m not drooling!”
Sophie leaned closer, her grin widening. “Oh, come on. I see the way you’re looking at him. You’re practically star-struck.”
Khian’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I didn’t think my playing was that impressive.”
Lily’s face turned red, but she tried to play it cool. “I’m just enjoying the music. And honestly, who wouldn’t?”
I watched the exchange with a warm feeling in my chest. Even in the midst of everything, Sophie’s humor was a much needed distraction, lifting the mood in a way only she could.
Khian gave a slight laugh, shaking his head. “Alright, alright. I guess I’m flattered.”
Sophie’s teasing continued, “I bet you didn’t know you had this much of an effect on people. Maybe you should think about a career change.”
Khian laughed, looking both amused and embarrassed. “I think I’ll stick to just playing for fun.”
As Khian continued to play, Sophie kept up her playful banter, making jokes and teasing Lily about her “admiration” for Khian’s guitar skills. Lily rolled her eyes but couldn’t help laughing along with us.
The garden, with its soft evening light and gentle breeze, felt like a safe haven. Khian’s music, Sophie’s humor, and Lily’s presence created a comforting bubble that shielded us from the worries and stress that had been weighing on us.
As the last notes of Khian’s song faded, Sophie clapped enthusiastically. “Bravo, Khian! I’d buy a ticket to your concert any day.”
Khian laughed, shaking his head in mock exasperation. “Alright, alright. Enough with the flattery.”
Lily smiled warmly at him. “You really did a great job, Khian. Thank you.”
Khian nodded, his expression softening. “I’m glad you all enjoyed it. It’s nice to have a moment like this.”
We all sat there, enjoying the peaceful end to the day, the night air cool and refreshing.